Archive for December 24th, 2014

(CNS): There was no talk of politics, ministers behaving badly, cabinet reshuffles or any reflection of the recent political turmoil and ups and downs of the past year in the premier’s message on Christmas Eve. Alden McLaughlin said he would, however, be enjoying the opportunity provided by the holiday for quiet reflection and the chance to “just chill” with his family and friends. Urging people to be charitable and not get caught up in the commercial aspects and frantic activity of the season, he asked people to take time to experience the “peace that is Christmas, seek out those who are less fortunate and help them share in some small way in the magic of this time of year”.

(CNS): The victims of a burglary on Cayman Brac have posted an additional $500 reward with the local Crime-Stoppers hotline for any information leading to the capture and conviction of the villain. The anonymous crime tip hot line has launched an official campaign to try and bag the burglar who stole four television sets, a telescope and other electronic equipment as well as liquor. The house of Frank and Kathleen O’Brien at 12 Southside Road, Cayman Brac was also damaged during the break-in which happened sometime during the week before Thursday 18 December when the couple discovered the crime and reported it to police.

Cayman Crime-Stoppers Chairman, Malcolm Ellis, is appealing to members of the public to call the tip line now if they have any information regarding this crime. Crime Stoppers is able to offer a reward for information which proves valuable in solving a crime, and callers are given a unique code which they can use to make a claim. They never have to disclose their identity. The Cayman Crime Stoppers tips line is 800-TIPS (that is, 800 8477) and is a free, local call. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppers.ky,” he explained.

The $500 reward is guaranteed for any tipster that helps solve this particular crime but they could get more directly from Crime Stoppers which has a continuous reward on offer for any crime up to a maximum of $1000.

Items stolen in the Brac burglary include several Sony Bravia TV’s (32 inch, 46 inch and two 52 inch), a Meade 70AZ-TR 70mm Compact Retractor Telescope, three bedroom pillows in floral pillow cases, a charger for a large rechargeable flashlight, and assorted beer and liquor. Damage was done to the garage door entrance, the door from inside the garage to the house and the screen door on the beach side, lower level.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to come forward and call the Crime Stoppers tip line, 800-TIPS. Callers will not be asked to identify themselves – just provide information. Cayman Crime Stoppers is facilitating a reward of up to $500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these crimes.

(CNS): The NWDA has been wrestling with gremlins on its website which a spokesperson from the agency said had posed difficulties for its clients accessing their account or registering online. However, following enquires by CNS after many readers contacted us about the problems logging on, the agency said they believed it is now resolved but it took longer than anticipated to address the issues as a result of the limitations of the software and budget cuts. Having found the solution Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia told CNS that the NWDA website was taken down for a period on Tuesday to implement the solution but it is now back up and running efficiently she also said that the agency was working with the computer services department (CSD) to ensure it stays that way.

“CSD has tested the site and based on its findings the solution has worked and the site is running efficiently,” she said. “The CSD commits to its continued support of the NWDA and the clients it serves.”

The employment ministry’s deputy chief who has oversight of the government job agency said that the problems were down to incompatibility issues.

“A review made by that Department’s help desk found that there were incompatibility issues with Google Chrome and Firefox browser that were a result of upgrades to the operating system in both of these programmes,” Ebanks-Garcia said. “Based on CSD’s examination of the problem it was determined that these issues were due to limitations in the legacy software supporting the site. As a result of resource and budget constraints the complex process of installation, configuration and testing ofnew software to resolve the issue has taken longer than CSD would have liked,” she added.

(CNS): There were three burglaries on Monday over a two hour period in which the culprit made off with cash, jewellery and electronic items from the homes involved, police have said. An RCIPs spokesperson said officers believe the same burglar is responsible for the break-ins which happened in the Bel Air Drive area of South Sound, George Town. The first was reported at 1:38pm, where a home was broken into and watches stolen. The second burglary was at around 2pm at Cayman Crossing where cash, electronics, jewellery and a cell phone was stolen then at about 3:50pm the third burglary was reported on Bel Air Drive, where electronic items and watches were also stolen.Detectives said residents of the area who may have seen any one not belonging to that community should call GT – CID on 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers on 800- 8477(TIPS).